Size Of Your Crews On A Job

scottstef

i was just wondering what size crew everybody thinks is optimal for doing interior new construction/repaints. at what point did you find the help versus progress to get bogged down. i was thinking myself and a helper would be optimal. i figured that gives me time to start prepping walls and such while my helper hauls tools and materials in the house. he tapes while i finish prepping walls. he helps sand and spot prime where needed. when we spray, he back rolls behind me. then we both cut in. when we are done, he cleans up the tape and job site while i qc all of the job.

do you think it would be more profitable to add a third guy? i am hoping to get out of the bucket this summer and just trying to see if 3 guys on a crew would be better/faster. the only place i can really see a third guy being more productive is when we are cutting in and doing maybe doing prep work.

thanks,

bigchaz

third guy makes it so you only have to spray
one guy prepping one guy backrolling

sounds like you have a good system though. if its working and you like it i wouldnt go through the hassle of getting a third guy

Dave Mac

repaints two men crews are good imo

New work, depends on the size of and quality of the house, but three would be my min size crew for that

Richard

Depends really....I think 2 real good guys is better than 3 ok guys....plus it's 1 less attitude you have to deal with The bigger your crew gets, the better you have to treat them. You dont necessarily have to pay them all 20/hr ,but telling them when they are doing a good job, bonuses per job or holidays, buying them lunch every once in a while, etc, is pretty much what will keep them from slacking and screwing you in the end.

(In response to telling them they are doing a good job) It's funny, the whole reason I started on my own was all due to one day when my boss said...(while I was getting paid 17/hr.as a foreman)"wow, your a lot faster at cutting and rolling a wall than I am, and your just as good".... see ya...

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Rich

lmcgrew79

We always wizzy roll the corners on new work sometimes 1 man spraying, one man rolling and one man whiz and keeping hoses straight and tending to the pump. Small jobs one spray one rolling. If you wanna get mass production get a 12 35 spray tip and get two guys rolling and see if they can catch you.

Brushslingers

Red book says (or used to, haven't looked at one in like.. 10 years) a crew of painters is defined as TWO painters and ONE helper... three men, one unskilled to a point. I run three on new construction, unless its like 3500 square with three part crown.. heh, normally can knock out a trak in two and one half days, repaints, I send two.

I know a few "crews" in town that run as many as possible... I worked one that had 12 men on a 1100 square trak... we basically tripped over each other and talked sht more than worked. You KNOW you have a good crew when your just sitting there drinking coffee with them in the morning, and suddenly they all just pick up something different and hit the place... caulking, putty, taping front doors, etc. Done.

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Benn

Richard

Hey Benn...so you "run" 3....are these your guys or do you sub out? Just curious, think I'm gonna start a thread about this subject...just for giggles. I'm curious to see the size of the companies we're all running.

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Rich

Brushslingers

Well... it's complicated. I started this particular company as a "temp" service for paint companies so they don't have to worry about unskilled labor. I have about 12 companies that we all swap out "employees" from week to week but we all also have our own "crews". For the most part, until last week, I had 8 people... including me. Now I have two. I have slowed it down to recover from a huge hit and am working more on the GC side (different buss) at the moment. So... i'm sorta a weirdo.. heh, I actually have three different buss in two states and try to stay small enough to give good service without sacrificing my moola... if you know what I mean.

Hey, 2k and i'll take you out on my boat and give you a good weekend....

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Benn

Richard

Yeah, that is a bit complicated...but you sound like you're managing~boat huh? I'd love to join you....That would take a lot of persuading to the wifey....I'll work on that one (....hun.... ...)

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Rich

Danahy

My happy place has been with 2 of us, equal of skills. I like the idea of a 3rd / helper to roll / setup / Tims etc...

donb1959

Well, I don't do new work, but with repaints it's me and 2 good guys.

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BMAN

I agree about three guys. It has always seemed to be the magic number for repaints.

Hammatime

I have a 6' 4" 200 lb. guy, a 6' 250 lb guy and a 5' 10" 125 lb woman. Those are my painters, but what's the difference what size they are. If they're to short I give them a ladder.

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George Z

Two or three per job.
And you "ll never find me there.

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